Fish of the day Marinated in Lemon and Olive oil(GF) - Recipe by chef Hugo

When we first visited the Azores in 2023, one of our rockstar host chefs was Hugo!

Hugo’s roots are deeply planted in the Azores, but his culinary technique is that of a worldly master chef. He gathered vegetables and herbs from the garden of our accommodation, using the farm’s grass-fed beef and house-made sausages. He fed us for almost a whole week, and we were privileged to have him teach us the traditional Cozido das Furnas—possibly Portugal’s most unique dish. This special, hearty stew is slow-cooked underground by volcanic heat, nestled among steaming rocks and pools on the side of an atmospheric lake. These cooking holes have been passed down through generations, with many families and restaurants having their own spot to prepare this uniquely cooked dish. That was one of our cooking classes, among three of them throughout the week.

In 2024, we were fortunate enough to reunite with Hugo. This time, his focus for us was on fish-based dishes. One of them—his favorite—was the fish of the day. Hugo has a way of making every meal simple yet extraordinary. He was kind enough to share the recipe for the dish we enjoyed that wonderful day on a private farm overlooking the ocean.

Here it is!

Ingredients:

• 1 fresh sea bass, filleted without skin and black parts, thinly sliced as sashimi

• Sea salt

• Thin slices of fresh chili

• Lemon zest

• Lemon juice

• Black pepper

• Thinly chopped shallots

• Thai basil

• Extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

Place the sliced fish on a plate like a carpaccio and season it delicately with the remaining ingredients.

And if you’re interested in discovering the rich food heritage of the Azores with me, we’re repeating this incredible experience for the third time this year!

Join us from September 20–27th for an all-inclusive, 7-day journey through the flavors of the Azores. From immersive culinary experiences to wine tastings, heartfelt conversations, and thoughtfully selected accommodations—every detail has been carefully crafted for an unforgettable week.

What our past participants say about this experience:

"Jan, you created an experience that I’ll never forget. The food was sensational, the landscape breathtaking, the locals warm and welcoming, and the travelers you assembled were extraordinary. It was a delight from start to finish… A great big thanks to wonderful you, Jan—keep traveling and cooking!"
— M.L.

"Jan, you did a superb job putting together a remarkable trip in the Azores. The food was outstanding, and the chefs, hosts, and farmers you introduced us to were just amazing! The fish market was a marvelous side trip, and the cocktails, farm and garden tours, cheese pairing, water tasting, hikes, and picnic… My lord, you kept us busy, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Our tour guides were lovely, entertaining, and so helpful. You have a gift for connecting people and places, and your subtle style of teaching shines through. Thank you!"
— A.S.

Come along to cook with local chefs and taste the incredible food of this Atlantic archipelago!
See you in the Azores, September 20-27th!